Ester Brisler

Biography

Throughout the writings of Abigail Adams, there is mention of John Brisler. She would say of him "a very virtuous, steady, frugal fellow, with a mind above the vulgar, very handy and attentive."

She would take him with her on her voyage to Europe. Originally, his sister was to accompany them, but she was married and so Abigail would choose to take her neighbor's daughter, Ester Field. Ester had been involved with John Brisler and became pregnant, not telling anyone of her condition. Abigail and her staff were plagued by sea sickness, the worse affected being Ester. Ester was so ill Abigail feared she was dying. Finally, Ester would confess her indiscretion to her mistress. Abigail's sister would write of Ester,"Silly girl. Why could she not read her bible , and be married before?" In this letter she also alluded to the fact there was a family history of the same nature. (Ester's parents were married 2 months before the birth of their first child, Susanna) The couple was hurriedly married. The birth of their daughter would take place on the open seas "Not too happily, Abigail assisted with the delivery." The records I have found record the birth of their first child as being 1788. The voyage took place in 1784, so am wondering if the child survived.

John and wife Ester would stay on with the Adams family after the voyage, and moved with the family to the home know as Richmond Hill, out side of New York. Ester and John became homesick and returned to Braintree, Ma. to be close to family. The account of Abigail's difficulty running her household and the difficulty finding sober, honest servants is really quite amusing and ends with the statement.."and I can no more do without Mr. Brisler than a coach can go without wheels, or a horse to draw it." With the offer of a significant wage increase ,the Brisler family would return to the fold and take over the supervision of the house hold staff. John Brisler would serve the Adams family for twenty years, including the years spent in the White House. D. Glenn-2016

This account was found concerning the move to the White House:

Two articles we are very much distressed for: the one is bells, but the more important one is wood, yet you cannot see wood for trees. No arrangement has been made but by promises never performed, to supply the new comers with fuel. Of the promises, Briesler had received his full share. He had procured nine cords of wood, between six and seven of that was kindly burnt up to dry the walls of the house, which ought to have been done by the Commissioners, but which if left to them would have remained undone to this day. Congress poured in; but shiver shiver. No wood cutters nor carters to be had at any rate. We are now indebted to a Pennsylvania wagon to bring us through the First Clerk in the Treasury Office, one cord and a half of wood, which is all we have for this house where twelve fires are constantly required and where we are told the roads will soon be so bad that it cannot be drawn. Briesler procured two hundred bushels of coals or we must have suffered. This is the situation of almost every person. The public officers have been sent to Philadelphia for wood cutters and wagons.

Sources:

• New letters of Abigail Adams 1788-1801; Edited by Stewart Mitchell
• The Ridpath Library of Universal Literature; John Clark Ridpath; Globe Publishing Co.; 1899

Links:

• http://www.americanantiquarian.org/proceedings/44807119.pdf
• https://books.google.com/books?id=_rICAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA63&lpg=PA63&dq=...